Dr D K Sunil,
Chairman and Managing Director, HAL
As one of the oldest and largest aerospace manufacturers globally, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been a cornerstone of India’s aviation and defence sectors. Since its founding in 1940, HAL has consistently advanced India’s aerospace capabilities, from the licensed production of early aircraft like the Curtiss Hawk Fighter to the design and development of indigenous fighter jets such as the HF-24 Marut and helicopters like the Dhruv. “With achievement of above 50% Indigenous Content (IC) in flagship projects like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MK 1A, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), the contribution of HAL towards the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat is very much evident,” said Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL. In an interview with Aeromag, he discusses HAL’s contributions to India’s defence and space sectors, its role in Atmanirbhar Bharat, its vision etc.
HAL has supplied a range of platforms, including Dhruv, Lancer, Chetak, and Cheetah helicopters, Do-228 aircraft, and more to international clients. With significant partnerships with global aviation leaders like Airbus, Boeing, Rolls Royce, IAI, and Rosoboronexport, how do you view HAL’s impressive export growth and its evolution into a major global player?
HAL offers complete life cycle value proposition. HAL has strengths in design, manufacturing, after sales support, training and mid-life upgrade. HAL has established an export foothold in 30 countries by supplying fixed wing and rotary wing platforms, structural assemblies, avionics, castings and forgings, spares etc.
In FY23-24, two Hindustan-228 aircraft were supplied to Guyana Defence Forces in record time, within a month of signing of contract, way ahead of the contractual schedule. A new regional marketing office was opened in July 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This Regional Office will also serve as a hub for HAL’s engagement with other South-East Asian Countries.
The Company has been actively participating in International Air Shows and Events and has engaged 20 Channel Partners in 16 countries. The Company also plans to set up offices in other countries of interest.
Thus HAL will continue to pursue export opportunities and strive to evolve as a major global player.
HAL has contributed to ISRO’s space programs by supplying structures for LVM3, the Mars Mission, and the Human Crew Module, and is setting up a dedicated facility for cryogenic engine manufacturing. Could you discuss HAL’s role and contributions to India’s space endeavors?
HAL’s association with India’s prestigious Space Program dates back to early 70’s, when HAL provided technical inputs and manufacturing support to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for realization of light alloy structural assemblies for satellites and launch vehicle. HAL had built the structural assembly of India’s first satellite “Aryabhata” which was launched on April 19, 1975.
HAL has continuously supported ISRO for all its developmental programs including ASLV, PSLV, GSLV-Mk-III, Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Chandrayaan-1, 2 & 3, Crew Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE), PAD Abort test for Crew Escape and the list goes on…
HAL has supplied critical Structures, Tankages, and Integrated Stages, Satellite Bus structures for PSLV, GSLV-Mk II and LVM3.
HAL is closely working with ISRO on the Gaganyaan Program and have supplied one set of hardware to ISRO for the unmanned mission. The development of Crew Module and Service Module are on track which will help the nation to launch its manned mission very soon.
HAL is leading the Indian space ecosystem for end-to-end realization of PSLV rocket and looks forward to production of other launch vehicles too. HAL envisages space programs to increase manifold in the years to come. HAL will continue to participate and support the ambitious Indian Space Program and is on track to become a major player in space Launch Vehicles.
HAL places a strong emphasis on indigenization and supporting India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. How do flagship projects like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MK 1A, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) contribute to this goal, and what are their key features and levels of indigenization?
Indigenization has been a key focus area for a long time to establish a domestic supply chain and to make the country Aatmanirbhar in Defence and Aerospace sector. Over the years, HAL has transitioned from repair/overhaul and licensed production of aircraft to developing design, production and life cycle support capabilities for fighters, helicopters, trainer aircraft, UAVs, and associated systems.
With achievement of above 50% Indigenous Content(IC) in the flagship projects like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MK 1A, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), the contribution of HAL towards the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat is very much evident.
Considerable numbers of Systems / LRUs required for aircraft and helicopters are also developed in the country with the concerted efforts of all stake holders including DPSUs, DRDO, Private entities, MSME and Start-ups. Further, with the indigenization of Systems / LRUs, HAL plans to increase the indigenous content of these platforms considerably in a progressive manner.
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, how does HAL stay agile and responsive to market changes? What strategies do you use to ensure the organization adapts effectively to new advancements?
Technology will be the key differentiator in next generation warfare and HAL is investing significantly into developing critical technologies in the domain of unmanned systems, aero-engines, and avionics. At the same time, we are also investing in futuristic concepts such as CATS (Combat Air Teaming System), which is the coming together of manned and unmanned combat aircraft, leading to air superiority.
Continuous scanning of the environment for major airborne sensors and equipment is one of the means by which HAL keeps itself abreast with technologies and new developments worldwide. Based on this technology awareness, HAL identifies the products on which it should focus its R&D efforts. The R&D system human resource pool is kept up to date, by upgrading their knowledge through association with prestigious Indian and foreign academic institutions.
HAL has also established Chairs in several IITs and IISc for furthering research through the academia.
In order to optimize designs, modern design tools such as the Model based Systems Engineering (MBSE) with heightened emphasis on mathematical modelling and simulation is being implemented in projects like IMRH and LCA Mk2. This is expected to shorten the cycle time for D&D and enable HAL to productionise systems / platforms, within committed schedule and cost.
Can you detail HAL’s current collaborations with the private sector? What achievements have been made under the Make in India initiative, and what future plans do you have in this area?
HAL has been instrumental in strengthening the local defence manufacturing sector by outsourcing over 30% of its man hours. It is noteworthy that many of the thriving MSMEs in the Indian aerospace manufacturing ecosystem today owe their success to the initial support and guidance provided by HAL. Moreover, HAL has not only established Centers of Excellence in manufacturing within the organization but has also actively facilitated the participation of numerous private sector firms in the global supply chain of aircraft manufacturing.
The company has forged partnerships with leading Indian private companies, fostering the development of new and alternative LRUs, materials, processes, and the establishment of manufacturing plants. It is worth noting that a multitude of the avionics, electrical, and mechanical systems operating in HAL platforms have been conceptualized and brought to fruition through the design and development efforts of private partners.
HAL is dedicated to promoting indigenous capabilities by offering critical work packages for manufacturing by Indian private partners. These packages include fuselage modules, control surfaces, air intakes, structural assemblies, gears and more. This approach not only supports the growth of private industries, but also contributes to the overall development of defence manufacturing capabilities in the country. During the Su-30 MKI manufacturing program, over 250 partners were developed in the aerospace component manufacturing sector on a pan-India basis. This led to the creation of an effective supply chain ecosystem in the country.
With the evolution of the manufacturing ecosystem in India, HAL considers ecosystem partners as long-term partners, who supply sub-assemblies and major assemblies. This shift is evident in the case of the LCA where major structural assemblies like Front, Centre & Rear Fuselages, Wing Assemblies, Fin and Rudder are supplied by private partners.
Another example is HAL’s role as the lead system integrator in the upcoming indigenous upgrade program of Su-30 MKI aircraft. Private sector participation will be ensured from the level of design and development of LRUs, testing and evaluation of systems. This approach also extends to D&D projects such as the IMRH and DBMRH, with plans to involve private partners from the initial stages, covering a diverse range of expertise from airframe to avionics, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and mission systems.
With these initiatives, HAL aims to take on the role of an aircraft’s ‘concept-creator’ and ‘super-integrator’ in the future, while allowing their suppliers to handle other aspects of the process.
HAL has been working on establishing long-term partnerships and strategic alliances with potential Tier-II and gradually Tier-I suppliers, while retaining the core areas as Prime Integrators. This process involves raising awareness of airworthiness, quality and safety requirements, providing initial support, and handholding, to eventually develop reliable partnerships within HAL’s value chain.
As the new chairman of HAL, what is your vision for the company’s future? How do you plan to diversify your market, drive technological innovation, and establish strategic partnerships to strengthen HAL’s industry presence?
HAL has made significant up-front investments in new platform development and capacity augmentation to meet future requirements. HAL has also taken up indigenization, where significant investments are required for capability development.
HAL has currently undertaken major design and development programs such as Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk1A), ALH WSI Phase-II, Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) and Deck Based Multi Role Helicopter, Utility Helicopter – Marine (UH-M), , RUAV – 200 Kg, HTSE-1200 engine and HTFE 25 engine.
In addition to above, HAL has also partnered with ADA, DRDO for the development of LCA Mk II, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) a fifth-generation class fighter aircraft and Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) aircraft for the Indian Armed Forces.
All the above projects require support from a robust industrial eco system to enable HAL remains focused on its core competency of integration and flight testing and outsource other functions to the ecosystem. This business model would drive growth of MSMEs and provide employment opportunities, directly & indirectly for engineers, technicians, skilled workers in the ecosystem.
Research and technology development are the focus areas for HAL’s R&D. In future, sales is expected to come almost exclusively based on indigenously designed and developed products such as the LCA variants, ALH variants, LCH, LUH, HTT-40, IJT etc. and therefore the emphasis on in-house R&D has become stronger than ever.
On the rotary wing front, the development of the 13-ton IMRH will complete the entire gamut of military helicopters that will operate in India.
After the successful certification of HTT-40, IJT and development of LIFT, Indian skies would not have the need to look to foreign lands for fixed wing trainer aircraft.
All the aero engines in the fixed wing and rotary wing platforms currently flying in India are designed and developed by the foreign OEMs.
With the certification of aero engines, being developed by HAL, the fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft developed by HAL will be powered by HAL engines only throughout their missions. Further, HAL is partnering with Safran Helicopter Engines to develop a 2300kW engine to cater to IMRH requirement.
This is the first instance where a high shaft power aero engine will be jointly developed for an Indian platform with access to core engine technologies, which will enhance the technology development in India and pave way for future engine development.
All these R & D initiatives will make Hon’ble PM’s Vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat come true where major military platforms along with its critical systems, flying in the Indian skies will be designed, developed and manufactured indigenously within India.
HAL will be proactively engaging with the private sector companies to be major partners in development rather than being suppliers of components, assemblies and minor equipment such as low-tech LRUs, GSE, GHE, Testers, etc.
